Chapter 2: A Fake Marriage and an Encounter with a Scoundrel

Gu Yuanzhou deceived her into writing out the ancestral secret manual, "Twelve Grades of Heavenly Fragrance," by fabricating a story about the Bai family being framed. The day Bai Huan handed him the manual, Gu Yuanzhou’s demeanor changed completely. Only at the moment of her death did she finally understand that Gu Yuanzhou had personally presented both the Bai family’s heirloom treasure and the "Twelve Grades of Heavenly Fragrance" to the Emperor, trading them for the succession of his noble title and an arranged marriage with a princess. Thus, the Marquis of Luyang’s household was once again admitted among the imperial relatives.

The most laughable part was that, until she was strangled to death, Bai Huan never understood whether she was Gu Yuanzhou’s concubine or Gu Yuanhuai’s wife.

The more Bai Huan dwelled on it, the more foolish she felt.

Gu Yuanhuai scratched his head. “So, what do you want to do?”

Bai Huan’s eyes were cold and deep. “Gu Yuanhuai, I can help you ascend to the title of Marquis of Luyang.”

“What?” Gu Yuanhuai jumped nearly a meter high, jabbing his chubby finger into his own nose. “Me, the Marquis of Luyang? Me—a bastard child without a mother’s love or a father’s favor—inherit the title? Bai Huan, have you been driven mad by my elder brother? Besides, the marquisate is on shaky ground; it’s not even certain if the title can be kept. Who wants to be a marquis now, anyway?”

Well, at least he had some self-awareness.

Bai Huan’s gloom was dispelled a little by his antics, and she nodded solemnly. “I am perfectly sane. Just tell me—do you want it or not?”

Her father had taught her that the world is driven by profit; the greater the benefit, the more willing people are to take risks.

Gu Yuanhuai stared at her, dumbfounded. Had his elder brother really driven her mad?

Ah, he dared not dream of being a marquis. But since fate had brought them together, he might as well humor this little lady.

Gu Yuanhuai shrugged, sat down, crossed his legs, and assumed his usual roguish, careless manner. “Fine, whatever you say, I’ll do. Whether it works or not, that’s up to the heavens.”

Suddenly, he straightened, craned his neck, and pointed at Bai Huan. “But let’s be clear—just a fake marriage!”

“Yes, I know you’re not up to it.”

“Not up to it? What do you mean I’m not up to it!” Gu Yuanhuai flared like a cat with its tail stepped on. “My sweethearts in the Qinhuai brothel—!”

“Five hundred taels of silver.”

Gu Yuanhuai sniffed. “Hmph! I’m not someone who can be bought with silver. I would never stoop to such underhanded deeds—”

“And a general store bringing in a hundred taels a month.”

Her father had taught her: if you want people to work in unity, you must offer immediate, medium, and long-term benefits. Immediate gains spur action, medium ones strengthen resolve, and long-term ones win loyalty. With all three, people will throw themselves into the task without complaint.

If the officials and merchants could collude, so could Bai Huan.

Gu Yuanhuai grew serious at once and listened intently. “For my lady, I would risk everything. Speak, my lady.”

Bai Huan was even more direct. “First, secure my dowry. Then, help me leave the estate.”

“No problem.”

Gu Yuanhuai patted his chest. “Leaving the estate is a piece of cake. But how do we secure your dowry?” He stared at her, puzzled and seeking answers.

He might be reckless, but he wasn’t stupid.

His own mother had been a victim of the Gu family’s plundering of a merchant wife’s dowry. The worst part was, after stealing the dowry, they still didn’t treat her well!

Would his father and that greedy legitimate wife ever willingly return that extravagant dowry?

Bai Huan could not wait another second. She straightened her dress, grabbed Gu Yuanhuai’s hand, and strode out.

“Let’s go. Time to meet the guests!”

The warmth and softness of her hand made Gu Yuanhuai uncomfortable all over, his ears burning like a hot iron pot. He followed, awkward and bashful.

Chenxiang and Doukou, seeing them walk out hand in hand, their eyes lit up. Was the lady about to cause a scene? They hurried to roll up their sleeves and follow.

In the main hall, guests mingled in lively celebration. At the center, the highlight of Bai Huan’s dowry—a crimson coral tree, taller than a man—stood on display for all to admire.

Lady Gu, the Marquis’s wife, was flushed with excitement, surrounded by the other ladies as she chatted animatedly about the coral tree. Suddenly, she caught sight of a couple in brilliant red wedding robes, hand in hand, entering the hall. She froze.

Quickly composing herself, she approached, glancing at their joined hands with a look that was hard to decipher.

So, they weren’t going to make a scene after all?

With a beaming smile, Lady Gu spoke softly, “Huan’er, why are you out here? This isn’t proper. Yuanhuai, quickly take your bride back to the bridal chamber before you make a spectacle in front of the guests and the Master punishes you.”

Gu Yuanhuai looked innocent. “A husband must protect his wife. Since my bride has something to say, I had no choice but to bring her.”

Lady Gu Yun Jiao frowned. “Fourth brother’s wife, this is the Marquis’s residence, not like your Bai family where rules are lax.”

Lady Gu’s brow twitched as she looked at Bai Huan with suspicion. “Huan’er, what do you wish to say? Let’s talk inside. It’s unlucky for the bride to show herself.”

She nudged Gu Yun Jiao, who immediately stepped forward to pull Bai Huan’s arm, only to be blocked by Gu Yuanhuai’s quick movement.

“Big sister, my wife has something to say, remember?”

“Out of the way!” Gu Yun Jiao stomped on his foot, making Gu Yuanhuai wince and hop in pain. Still, he spread his arms to shield Bai Huan, infuriating his sister, who dared not make a scene under so many eyes.

She could only stretch her neck forward and hiss at Bai Huan, “Stop clinging to my brother. If you’re not ashamed, we are!”

Bai Huan ignored her, her gaze cutting through the crowd until it landed on her childhood sweetheart and former fiancé, Gu Yuanzhou.

He wore a cobalt-blue robe, his features refined and gentle, always smiling warmly as he spoke with others. Such a gentle man inevitably drew the admiration of all the young ladies.

Sensing her gaze, Gu Yuanzhou turned abruptly, meeting her eyes. He looked away quickly, only to glance back, his eyes trembling slightly.

Was it pity? Regret?

Was he waiting for her to make a scene?

Waiting for her to abase herself and accept the role of concubine?

All that talk of his parents switching the marriage behind his back, of his reluctance to let her suffer as a concubine and so letting her marry his younger brother instead—it was all lies!

Bai Huan squeezed her eyes shut.

The loving whispers he had once murmured to her twisted into a tangled mess, tormenting her mind. Memories surged like shards of a shattered bronze mirror, splintering her joy, sorrow, pain, and despair, stabbing them deep into her heart.

The pain of a thousand arrows.

The agony of being strangled alive.

The pain beyond pain, when the heart dies.

She had suffered enough in her last life. In this one, she lived for a single purpose—to protect the Bai family!

“Huan elder sister, Mother is speaking to you,” Gu Yuanhuai called her by the old familiar term, gently scratching her palm with his finger.

Bai Huan’s eyes snapped open, her gaze now cool and clear, all the raw pain buried under icy composure.

Gu Yuanzhou was already striding toward her.

But Bai Huan seized the initiative, shoving Lady Gu aside and pulling Gu Yuanhuai with her straight to the towering red coral tree. Standing shoulder to shoulder before the guests, they faced the crowd.

The flaming coral, fierce as fire, set off the pair—one burning hot, the other cold and aloof. The guests stared, stunned.

Everyone knew of Bai Huan’s deep affection for Gu Yuanzhou and the five-year engagement between the two families. The switch of grooms had not gone unnoticed among the guests.

Still, it was none of their business. But with a free show unfolding, who would miss the drama?

The gossips, excited as if on stimulants, speculated wildly about how the Bai family’s daughter would create a scene.

Gu Yuanzhou fixed his gaze on their tightly clasped hands, a sense of foreboding rising within him. He strode to Bai Huan, reaching for her other hand, but she evaded him.

“Please show some propriety, Young Master Gu,” she said coolly.

Her detached words left Gu Yuanzhou awkward and frozen. He stared at her, disbelieving, his tone urgent, worried, and guilty. “Huan’er, please, you’ve misunderstood. Let’s talk inside.”

Lady Gu threatened in a low voice, “Bai Huan! Watch yourself. Now that you’ve entered the bridal chamber, you are a daughter-in-law of the Gu family—you must respect our family’s rules.”

She signaled the servants and loudly called, “Someone, the fourth son’s bride is drunk! Quickly, take her—”

Bai Huan suddenly raised her handkerchief to her face, as if about to weep. “I am simply trying to restore the Marquis’s household’s lost honor. Why does Mother forbid me to speak? Unless Mother cares nothing for the family’s reputation—or is she hiding some shameful secret?”

Her words instantly set off a wave of whispers among the guests.

“You!” Lady Gu turned pale. With so many guests present, she could not act rashly.